San Diego: Public Attitudes About Crime. A National Crime Survey Report.

Paez, Adolfo L., Ed.

The National Crime Survey program has conducted a continuous national survey and separate surveys in 26 central cities to study the impact of crime on American society. Attitudinal information obtained from a 1974 survey of occupants of 4,906 housing units (9,125 residents age 16 and over) in San Diego reflects crime trends, fear of crime, residential problems, and local police performance. Although 75% of San Diego residents felt crime was increasing nationally, crime and fear of crime made no impact on their daily routines. Most residents felt reasonably safe alone in their neighborhoods at night, with whites feeling more secure than blacks. Crime was not a major influence in moving, shopping or entertainment activities. Whites were more positive in their assessments of police performance than were blacks. Fear of crime had a greater impact on women, the elderly, and former victims. The appendices contain 37 data tables, the survey questionnaire, and information on sample design and size, estimation procedures, estimated reliabilities, and standard error. (NRB)